magnetosphere

noun

mag·ne·to·sphere | \ mag-ˈnē-tə-ˌsfir

, -ˈne- \

Definition of magnetosphere

: a region of space surrounding a celestial object (such as a planet or star) that is dominated by the object's magnetic field so that charged particles are trapped in it

Other Words from magnetosphere Example Sentences Learn More about magnetosphere

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Examples of magnetosphere in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The belts are part of Earth's magnetosphere, or the region of space where Earth's magnetic field interacts with solar wind. — Ashley Strickland, CNN, 18 Aug. 2020 These events manipulate the Earth's magnetosphere, which usually deflects most of what the sun emits. — Theresa Machemer, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Feb. 2020 As Io sweeps by Jupiter, the planet drags particles off its surface, forming a small magnetosphere, or plasma torus around the moon. — Jennifer Leman, Popular Mechanics, 7 Apr. 2020 The axis of Uranus' magnetosphere is also 60 degrees off of its spin axis, creating a significant wobble in its magnetic field. — Jennifer Leman, Popular Mechanics, 27 Mar. 2020 Solar, or geomagnetic, storms are disturbances in Earth’s magnetosphere or magnetic field caused by changes in solar wind. — Fox News, 31 Jan. 2020 In 2012, scientists observed a real-life radiation scrub in progress as the Van Allen Probes circled Earth to explore its radiation belts and magnetosphere. — Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 27 Dec. 2019 Such a planet would be buffeted by a stronger stellar wind—offering more electrons to be whipped up by the planet's magnetosphere into a signal that could be a million times stronger than Jupiter's. — Daniel Clery, Science | AAAS, 9 Oct. 2019 The Earth's magnetosphere is sensitive to deviated solar winds. — Daisy Hernandez, Popular Mechanics, 30 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'magnetosphere.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for magnetosphere

magneto- + -sphere

Note: Term introduced by the Austrian-born physicist Thomas Gold (1920-2004) in "Motions in the Magnetosphere of the Earth," Journal of Geophysical Research, vol. 64, no. 9 (September, 1959), pp. 1219-24.

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